Sample Itinerary: New England

This sample itinerary for a 4-day yacht charter in New England
(by Tom Rowe)

New England: 4-day yacht charter sailing itinerary

Day One,
09:00am:

Depart Newport for Martha's Vineyard. Sailing out the scenic East
Passage of Narragansett Bay and then turning east, along Ocean Drive,
you will pass a number of the grandiose "Summer Cottages" which
proliferate along the waterfront. Depending on the weather there are
several delightful lunch stops available in the Elizabeth Islands. The
pristine beach and protected anchorage at Quick's Hole on Nashawena
Island is a favorite. After a leisurely swim and lunch, continue on
past Nobska Point and West Chop to Edgartown, where you will arrive in
the late afternoon. The protected anchorage, moorings, launch service,
facilities ashore and classic New England atmosphere of the town make
Edgartown a must see destination on everyone's itinerary. This would be
a good night to dine ashore as the variety of restaurants available is
extensive. Distance 55 miles.

Day Two,
10:00am:

After a relaxing breakfast aboard set sail for Tarpaulin Cove on the
South shore of Naushon Island, another of the classic picnic stops in
the Elizabeth Islands. A brisk afternoon sail across Buzzards Bay
brings us to Padanaram Harbor, home of the New Bedford Yacht Club and
the world renowned Concordia Yacht Yard. There is limited shopping
ashore, yet the center of town is but a short walk from the launch and
who knows what treasures may be found. Dinner this evening is
definitely aboard, where you will enjoy the chance to view the sunset
in unsurpassed tranquility. Distance 35 miles.

Day Three,
09:30am:

Another leisurely start to the day has us setting sail for Woods Hole
and Hadley's Harbor. This is an easy sail and allows us to enjoy the
prettiest harbor within 100 miles; but, we must get there early as
there is limited anchoring space available inside. After lunch the
Sou'wester usually perks up and it affords us the opportunity to have a
spanking sail down the bay to Cuttyhunk, a quaint island village, at
the western end of the chain separating Buzzards Bay from Vineyard
Sound. Going ashore you will be struck by the feeling that you're going
back in time to the turn of the century or before. Cuttyhunk has
several inns where the dining is family style and concentrates on the
wholesome, simple specialties of New England Cooking. Distance 35 miles.

Day Four,
10:30am:

Today we depart Cuttyhunk and head westwards again, back to
Narragansett Bay and Newport. Depending on the time available a nice
lunch stop is at Third Beach in Middletown, a few miles up the Sakonnet
River, back in Rhode Island. If we're pressed for time and a stop isn't
possible, we should be back in Newport no later than 2:00 in the
afternoon, having had a brief glimpse of the best that Southern New
England has to offer. Distance 25 miles, nonstop.